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Grades 4–8. This lab activity explores acid-base chemical reactions that produce carbon dioxide gas. Students test various mixtures of the provided acids and baking soda to decide which combination produces the most carbon dioxide gas. They apply that knowledge to design and create an inflatable device that will support and rescue a model smartphone.

Grades 4–8. The lesson opens with a story about a smartphone plunging into a lake. Students are asked to create a way to make the phone float in water. At the beginning of the lab, the teacher activates a self-inflating balloon, which inflates with carbon dioxide gas as chemicals inside the balloon react with one another. Students conduct a pair of chemical reactions to determine which of 2 acids react best with baking soda to produce the most carbon dioxide gas. The selected acid is reacted with varying amounts of baking soda to determine what combination yields maximum gas production. For the challenge, students are tasked with designing an efficient rescue system, using the least amounts of chemical reactants, to inflate a resealable bag that will both float and support a model clay smartphone. The kit contains enough materials to support multiple classes of 32 students.

This kit is part of a series of activities, developed by the American Chemical Society through grants from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. Other kits in this series include:

• American Chemical Society: Chemistry—Investigating Your World Lab Activity (item #841081)
• American Chemical Society: Chemistry's Colorful Clue Lab Activity (item #841083)
• American Chemical Society: Glow It Up Lab Activity (item #841085)